Prayer request from Alec Dean in Argentina

9th December 2008
Argentina, Volunteers

A simple insight into the challenges of sharing the love of Christ in tragic circumstances.

DanielI went last week to the Pilcomayo river to see if I can help with job creation through crafts. Río Pilcomayo is a river in the central parts of South America, longest western tributary of the Paraguay River, and its watershed extends across 270,000 km². The Pilcomayo rises in the foothills of the Andes cordillera, between the Bolivian departments of Potosí and Oruro, east of Poopó Lake. From there it flows in a southeasterly direction 2,000 km through Chuquisaca and Tarija departments, passes through the Argentine province of Formosa and the Gran Chaco plains of Paraguay, forming the border between these two countries before it joins the Paraguay River near Asunción.

I visited very poor communities far from the river. The kid in the photo doesn’t know his age or his surname; he is 8 but never has gone to school. Very sad. His dad is in the other photo with the dry “water hole”. The authorities dump water in this dug out hole but the plastic is broken and the water disappears. It was 47 degrees Celsius my friends… and with no water!!! It drives me up the wall only to think this exists! I’m thinking what to do and the best would be a simple plastic water tank of 1000 litres approximately cost £120.
Poor family 
 
Un abrazo fuerte y bendiciones hermanos!
 
Alec  

Sams prayerline

8th December 2008
Argentina, Paraguay, PRAY

The latest SAMS GB Prayer Line for the week commencing Tuesday 2 December

On Saturday SAMS GB General Council voted overwhelmingly to approve in principle a merger of SAMS with CMS. [Note: this does not affect SAMS Ireland) CMS members will vote on the issue on 20 January. Give thanks for God’s clear leading and pray for the Trustees and staff, including from 1st January new Mission Director Bishop Henry Scriven, as this decision begins to be worked out.

Nick Drayson, former mission partner in Northern Argentina and Spain, has been appointed Assistant Bishop in Northern Argentina with special oversight of the Indian work. Pray for Nick and Catherine as they take up the new post sometime in 2009.

In that area Michael Browne, Silvia and their two boys plan to spend most of December in the town of Juárez in the Chaco, making a final push to complete the checking process of the Toba New Testament translation. Pray for them in this work as they prepare the text for handing over to the Argentine Bible Society for typesetting and publishing.

Linn Tedman in Paraguay is having physiotherapy for an injured back. On 13 December Linn is due to visit her sister and family in South Africa for the first time in nine years, and asks prayer that the treatment will relieve the pain enough for her to prepare, pack, travel and enjoy this holiday.

In Concepción, Paraguay, we are asked to pray for God’s light to penetrate the spiritual darkness and bring people into his Kingdom. On Friday (5th) a Nativity play is held for children in the Ramonita and Villa Alta neighbourhoods. As we pray for the impact of this, let’s thank God for Claire Holmes’ ministry there to children and young people, and remember her especially as she flies out on Monday (8th) for home leave and ministry in Ireland.

Also travelling from Paraguay, on Saturday, is Caroline Gilmour-White who will be on UK ministry until early March. Pray for Caroline in travel and readjustment.

Prayerline

11th November 2008
Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, PRAY, Spain

The latest SAMS GB prayer line:

Let’s give praise for answered prayer in response to the Youth Encounter weekend last month in Salta, Northern Argentina. At least 4 young people made a profession of faith in Christ, others expressed real interest to consider the implications and others made renewed commitments. Pray for them.

Praise God too for answers to prayer at the two women´s retreats held recently in Lima and Arequipa, Peru. Penny Marcés asks us to pray that the challenge to serve isn´t forgotten back in the normal routine of life.

Still in Peru, please continue to pray for the health of Bishop Bill Godfrey. Bill has been undergoing surgery in Florida to try to resolve the wound sinus from last year’s operation. Pray that this will resolve this aspect of the problem; and keep Bill and his wife Judith in prayer.

Sue Woodcock is encouraged by good worship and a growing congregation in Sabadell, northeast Spain. One result is a new monthly meeting for folk between 20 and 35 years of age starting this Saturday (15th). Sue asks us to pray for this group to gel and for deep fellowship as they get to know one another and share together.?
Sue also requests prayer for a conference address she is giving in one of the Barcelona universities on Friday (14th), with a repeat in a different context on Wednesday 19th. It’s an opportunity to proclaim good news with sensitivity, so please pray.

Finally, end-of-year exams for 1st and 2nd years at FEISA teacher training college in Asunción, Paraguay, begin next Monday (17th), continuing for three weeks. Please keep students and staff in your prayers.

Megan Johnston’s blog

11th October 2008
Argentina, Red Box, Volunteers

Megan and CescillaMegan Johnston has started a blog on her experience with the Red Box project in Argentina! Here is a snipit.

Well I returned safe and sound after a 6 day conference to Misa Rumi on the Argentine/Bolivian Boarder. It was quite an experience to be honest! During the main conferences I taught 54 children in total, basically the Happy Hours that I mentioned before. Alot of Games, Songs and teachings which was really great. Although the children where soo shy as its a very traditional place so sometimes it felt like I was doing all the talking…no change there I suppose!

Read more in her blog. More about Megan.

Prayer Line

8th October 2008
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay

The latest SAMS GB prayer line:

This weekend two churches celebrate anniversaries. On Sunday (12th) the Església de Crist in Sabadell, Spain, pastored by Sue Woodcock, holds a special service for its 105th birthday, while from Saturday (11th) the very much younger congregation of Living Waters in Olinda, Brazil, begins a celebration lasting over a week, including children’s outings, competitions, and services on the rubbish dump and in church. Siméa & Ian Meldrum pastor this church. Pray for God’s blessing on everyone through these celebrations.

Also this weekend the Diocese of Northern Argentina holds its ninth EJE (Youth Encounter), starting on Friday. Pray for the leadership team and for the young people invited, that many will have an authentic encounter with the Lord.

Finally, please continue to remember the critical need for rain to end the drought in the Paraguayan Chaco.

Helen King

29th September 2008
Argentina, Red Box, Volunteers
Helen King

Helen King

I’m Helen and I went to Argentina as a Red Box Project volunteer as part of my university year abroad! It was a significant time for me and I’m thankful for the opportunity to share with so many wonderful people in South America.

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